Author Archives: lifewithlilred

Unknown's avatar

About lifewithlilred

Just your average gal blogging an average blog!
Sep17

Scarf Series: Grandma’s Hand Me Downs Edition

Posted on by
Standard
Scarf Series: Grandma’s Hand Me Downs Edition

Hellooo everyone! We all know that I love dressing for colder weather and one of my favorite things in doing so are the accessories. I love hats, scarves, fingerless gloves, and faux fur to keep myself cute and cozy all fall and winter long. I adore my knitwear and there’s no denying that but there is also something so very chic about a silk scarf tied in a knot around your neck while sporting your best peacoat. So, I was very excited when my dad bestowed some of my grandma’s (his mom’s) scarves onto me. Check them out:

scarfscarf1scarf2scarf3

I have plenty of hats from my mom’s mom but I really have nothing like that from my dad’s mom, so I was incredibly happy to have something of hers that I can wear. These vintage scarves will be the perfect accessory with blazers and moto jackets to add a unique touch as well as making me feel like I’m getting a hug from a loved one all day.

My favorite scarf above is definitely the last one with the flowers in bright, springy colors to bring some sunshine during the grey winter months. You’re talking to the girl who wears black ninety-nine percent of the time BUT, even I’m not opposed to some pops of color every now and then! I am so thankful to have these scarves in my collection and am looking forward to wearing them all very soon. 🙂

Do you have any hand me downs from a loved one? How do you sport a silk scarf? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep16

September 2019 Funky Time Jams

Posted on by
Standard
September 2019 Funky Time Jams

Hello everyone! September is always a happy month for me because I know that fall is just around the corner and that means my favorite season will commence. It is also when my family normally takes our annual vacation, which all of you will be reading the highlights of very soon! So, this month’s funky time jams is all about my go to road trip music because my dad refuses to fly anywhere, lol. Take a listen:

^^^ And, as always, I have no rights to these songs or videos!

When it comes to road trip music for me, it is all about the songs that I can sing along to. These are the ones that entertain me the most and help the time seem to go faster during grueling double digit hours of driving. I have been on a HUGE girl power kick lately with a lot of Christina Aguilera, Rihanna, Madonna, Lizzo, and, of course, none other than Britney Spears. Nothing makes a drive more fun than dancing along to your favorite girl power anthems that make you feel like a strong, independent woman who don’t need NO man!

Road trips also give me time to revisit old favorites, which usually includes listening to every album by The White Stripes ever as well as U2, Modest Mouse, Wolf Parade, Arcade Fire, and Los Campesinos. It’s so easy to get lost in a marathon of some of your tried and true go to’s and, before you know it, another hour has passed by. 😀

What is your favorite road trip music? What is your preferred method of travel? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep15

Improving Your Health Within The Workplace

Posted on by
Standard
Improving Your Health Within The Workplace

Depending on your job, you may not always have to be working in an office environment. However, a lot of us do work at a desk for most of the working day. Not being on your feet all the time can end up being a little unhealthy and, among other things, sometimes work can be a threat to your health. Here’s how to improve your health within the workplace:

Get HR To Do A Workplace Assessment:

The HR in your business should be doing this already, but if they’re not, it’s worth suggesting it. Everyone should really get a workplace assessment done to find out what areas of the working environment are a challenge for you and maybe causing you ill health. It’s mostly focused on the desk that you have and whether the office chair is supportive enough and how far away your computer screen is in relation to where you’re sitting. After this assessment is completed, any notes where you’ve asked for things to be purchased should then be followed up with the person or persons responsible for doing the ordering of office furniture.

Improve Your Furniture And Desk Accessories:

After your workplace assessment, your furniture and desk accessories may need some improvement. Make sure that you get a chair that has good back support to protect your lumbar spine from damage caused by poor posture. Look for ergonomic chairs from a reputable retailer such as Fenstone and think about what description best suits your needs. Perhaps you need additional lumbar support or adjustable seat depth? There’s a chair for that! Reading reviews can help you to decide if a specific model will work for you too! If they acknowledge the assessment but they’re not getting you the furniture or equipment that you require, then if you end up later getting problems with your body, there’s always a worker’s compensation doctor that you can go to.

Take Regular Breaks From The Chair:

Sitting at your chair for a prolonged amount of time can be damaging to your spine, and that’s the last place that you want to do damage to. Try and take plenty of regular breaks from the chair. Stand up and stretch your legs and other muscles throughout your body. Go and make yourself a drink, take a brief walk outside so that you can take five or ten minutes away from your screen. A lot of us don’t do this nearly enough, and we don’t realize just how dangerous this can be to our bodies over a long period of time.

Do More Physical Exercise:

To reduce the risk of injuring your back, neck, or other body parts, it’s important to do physical exercise. This keeps the body moving, but certain exercise can also improve flexibility, among other things. Try to commit to a class or exercise once or twice a week and improve on that number when you can. The more exercise you can do, the better. This will help tackle the amount of time that is spent in your chair at work.

Improving your health within the workplace is something that is definitely worth looking at seriously, and the more we can do to avoid any future problems, the better.

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Sep15

New Cotton Candy Nails

Posted on by
Standard
New Cotton Candy Nails

Helloooo! My favorite form of pampering definitely has to be getting my nails done. To me, there is nothing better than sitting back, relaxing, and getting my talons right. I think my monthly nail sesh is worth every penny and I always look forward to being able to spend a Saturday morning in the salon. Now that I’m actually experimenting with colors, I decided to go for a candy themed mani and I am in love with the soft pink and violet. Check it out:

nailss

After last month’s lemonade nails, I became obsessed with doing different colors on both hands. I really don’t believe in spending an arm and a leg when it comes to getting my nails done so that means no bling bling and anything else that’s going to upcharge my total. Playing around with different polish on both hands is a fun and more cost effective way to amp up your mani without breaking the bank. And, since I’ve began this trend, it has been a hit!

I love my cotton candy colors, which I thought would look really sweet for my upcoming family beach vacation. Soft colors in the sand that reflect an ocean sunset? Yes, please! As per ushe, the nail techs at Elysian Nails had my nails looking their best and I left the salon feeling like a whole new woman. And, the compliments from all of the ladies at Elysian didn’t hurt, either. So, if you see other people sporting this trend – tell em’ Lil Red started it! 😀 😉

How do you rock a fun mani? What color of polish do you have on today? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep14

Autumn Must Haves & Favorites

Posted on by
Standard
Autumn Must Haves & Favorites

Hello everyone and welcome to a fall guest post brought to you by my friend, Becki, at Bekkibee22! Becki runs a wonderful page that features her journeys through health, makeup, and this thing called life. It is insightful, inspiring, and definitely worth checking out so do be sure to give it some love! Now, check out Becki’s post all about her favorite fashion and beauty must haves for fall special for lifewithlilred:

Autumn Must Haves & Favorites

This is a special blog, as a fellow blogger called lifewithlilred was looking for guest bloggers for fall. I jumped at the chance as her blogs are amazing and I have been following her for a while now. So, I got in contact with Sarah and we discussed what would be a great blog to do and this is the outcome.

As summer is over and we are now entering autumn, I wanted to share with you my must haves and my favorite things about autumn for me, and I hope down below you will share your must haves and your favorite things in this incredible season we are entering.

Lets start with my must haves for the season, this is exciting because it meant going shopping for autumn, which I loved, as did my partner.

Boots: I recently brought a new pair of ankle boots from Kurt Geiger, which I fell in love with. I believe you should have at least one pair of boots for the upcoming cold weather. I also have a pair of knee high and over the knee boots for different outfits.

bekki1

Outer Layer: I have a fine knit poncho in an asymmetrical pattern, as the weather is starting to cool and that extra layer is needed but you don’t want a full on winter coat yet.

bekki2

Knitted Tights: I’m not one to wear a lot of trousers apart from the couple of pairs of jeans I have so having a variety of knitted tights is great for protecting my legs with all of my dresses and skirts that I wear.

bekki3

Over the Knee Knit Socks: For those days where I don’t want tights but still want something to protect my legs.

Basic T-Shirts: Having these basic items help with layering and I recommend getting them in at least black and white.

bekki4

Jeans: I may not wear a lot of trousers but I have at least one pair of good jeans for the colder weather, plus they are a basic and a great starter to build and create numerous outfits.

Turtle Necks: These are my favorite during the colder weather as I use them as layers underneath dresses or with skirts. They look fab and stylish while also providing warmth.

bekki5

Lip Balm: With the colder air coming, avoid having cracked lips by keeping them moist with a lip balm.

bekki6

Hand/Body Moisturizer: With the colder air, the same happens to your skin as it does with your lips so having a good moisturizer helps protect and hydrate your skin.

bekki7

Dark Red/Purple Lipstick: Autumn always makes me want to wear my dark red and purple lipsticks as they look so fab with all outfits for the season.

bekki8

Cozy Slippers: Keeping my feet warm is very important with my health issues so a comfy cozy pair of slippers helps do just that.

Vanilla and Spiced Fragrances: I love these scents during the colder weather and they just seem to warm up the environment while smelling lush and inviting.

bekki9

These are my must haves for autumn but the reason why I love the season so much is because you get to watch the cycle of life and get to experience the most amazing colors all around you. I also love autumn because it is my favorite season to dress for. I get so many ideas and get to be creative with styling. My partner is looking forward to this, too, as he really enjoys picking clothes for me. The colors are super lush and you can create some super dramatic and amazing outfits all just by layering.

bekki10

I’m looking forward to the cozy nights with home cooked meals as well as the walks in the evenings and weekends. And, of course, stepping on the fallen crunchy leaves while enjoying the sunsets where the evenings are getting darker more quickly. Autumn is a magical season. It’s not boiling hot like the summer and not freezing cold like the winter and you can still go out and enjoy yourself without experiencing such extreme temperatures.

bekki11

Thanks again to Becki for creating a guest post for my page! A lot of her faves are mine, too, and I am anticipating the fall just as much. What are your fall must haves? What is your favorite fall activity? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep13

7 Ways To Look After Your Home During Colder Weather

Posted on by
Standard
7 Ways To Look After Your Home During Colder Weather

With summer coming to an end over the next few weeks that can only mean one thing: the cold weather is just around the corner. Whether you love a bit of chill in the air or you’re dreading it, you need to ensure that you’re as prepared as you can be when it comes to looking after your house. Whether that means stocking up on cold weather essentials or investing in double glazing, the more you can do to protect your house during the winter the better. With that in mind, here are seven ways to look after your home during colder weather:

Keep The Heating On To Avoid Your Home Getting Damp:

Although it may be expensive to keep your heating on for the duration of winter, it’s one of the best ways for you to stay in good health as the temperature drops. Not only will keeping your heating on allow you to stay warm and cozy, but it will also ensure you do not experience damp throughout your home. For more information when it comes to the importance of keeping your heating on during winter, you can visit this site here.

Get Your Boiler Serviced Before Winter Starts:

Getting your boiler serviced just before the temperature drops will assure you that your heating will be in check all winter long!

Invest In Double Glazing And Keep Your Windows Shut:

If you haven’t already, investing in double glazing is another great way to help prevent your home from becoming damp. Whilst it can be expensive, double glazing will help keep the heat in and the cold out. If you don’t have double glazing or you’re considering updating your windows, you might want to consider a siding service.

Even if you do have double glazing, you also need to ensure you’re keeping your windows shut where possible. For a guide to keeping the cold air out during winter, you can visit the following site.

Insulation:

A drafty home is not a comfortable one! Sometimes providing extra warmth is as simple as swapping out summer curtains for a heavier fabric, adding thick and plush rugs, or doubling up on throw blankets. However, this is not a fix all as the chill is coming from the outside in. You might want to consider upgrading your home’s siding with the services from James Hardie Siding in Naperville (or a similar company in your local area). This is an energy efficient option to give extra insulation as well as boost property value and curb appeal. With improved siding, your home will be nice and cozy all winter long! Oh, and if you have a basement or attic, then these areas are particularly vulnerable and a professional attic insulation installation is probably going to be a good idea, too.

Stock Up On Cold Weather Essentials:

Another great way to look after your home during cold weather is to stock up on cold weather essentials. Whether that means drought excluders for your doors or blankets for your living room, get what you need to stay comfy cozy while the cold weather strikes.

Clean And Store Your Garden Furniture:

Although you may think that it’s just the inside of your home that needs looking after during colder weather, the outside is just as important. Autumn and winter can bring some horrible weather and if you’re not prepared, you may find that your garden furniture is prone to damage. To help prevent this from happening, you need to clean and store your furniture just before the temperature starts to drop.

Consider Your Roofing And Gutters:

Your gutters and roofing may be in good condition now, but the bad weather may cause them some damage. Get any problem areas repaired or at least have a professional from a roofing company give them a once over before the winter to make sure that they can handle some snow. It is so important to have your roof checked because the pros will be able to catch small problems before they turn into a bigger one. Research companies like Tyler Roofing or a similar one in your local area to see what services they can provide for you.

Signing off on the checklist above will help keep you and yours perfectly comfy cozy all fall and winter long!

Featured Image By: StockSnap from Pixabay

Sep13

Social Media Setbacks

Posted on by
Standard
Social Media Setbacks

Helloooo! I wouldn’t say that I am an avid social media user. All I have is a Facebook and the main reason I am on there is for promoting lifewithlilred and, of course, it’s nice to keep in touch with old friends. But, despite only being on one platform, I think that I am not the only one who can agree that sometimes social media can bum you out. I know that I definitely experience this phenomenon even though I strictly scroll though my newsfeed for entertainment purposes.

Why is that? Well, for starters, everything that people post isn’t always entertaining. Believe you me, I wish that my entire newsfeed was filled with cute puppies and funny memes all of the time. But, rather, it is a mixed bag with some stuff that gives me a laugh and others that make me wish I had never seen it at all.

I understand that the news is an important thing and being aware of what’s going on in your community as well as world wide is something that I, myself, need to be better at. But, I never understand why people feel the need to share articles from news sources that are completely heinous. I get upset really easily when it comes to crimes against humanity, animals, and children – as everyone should. And, the last thing I want is to see a picture of an abused animal when I’m trying to get my “lol” on.

And, there is always the classic “feeling down about yourself because your friends are posting all of the cool stuff in their lives” sensation. Ah yes, the marriages, engagements, promotions, travel, and babies galore. When I am in a crappy place already, this can make me feel even worse, not because I’m not happy for my friends, of course. But, because I feel like I’m behind even though life isn’t a race.

It can be difficult to remember that ninety-nine percent of the time, social media is used to post your exciting news – not to air your dirty laundry and deepest, darkest secrets. And, behind closed doors, we really don’t know what anyone’s life is actually like aside from what they portray on social media. This is something that would be wise to remind myself of every now and again.

Social media is a wonderful tool but it can also effect your mental health if used the wrong way. So, if you struggle with some of the issues I mentioned, take a break from your socials for the day and give yourself some breathing room. And, then, get back to posting all of the funny memes, please and thank you!

What are some negative things about social media? How do you portray yourself on your socials? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep12

Self Care & Me

Posted on by
Standard
Self Care & Me

Helloooo everyone! Today, I thought that we would talk a little about my self care journey. And, believe me, it’s not an easy thing to do when you run two businesses and are constantly running around like a mad woman! At first, I used to consider “self care” as going shopping and having a spending spree… and, although that’s nice, it doesn’t get to the root of true self care, which I take to mean as doing something mentally or physically stimulating to help improve your mood.

I think the main thing that has helped me become more conscious of trying to incorporate self care into my life is my weekly skating practices. Being on the ice and riding that high of an invigorating work out and doing something that I’m good at always makes me feel my best. And, since I began weekly instead of biweekly practices, it has made me realize that I really don’t do enough for myself. So, I decided to change that.

When I began my career as a service provider for people with special needs, working evenings were just part of the deal. But, now that I’m more established, I thought that it was high time to treat myself to a normal schedule. And, come October, I will only be working one evening a week!

This is a change that I have been craving for a long time now and I’m looking forward to actually having time for myself when I get home from work. Whether that be practicing my languages, reading a book, binge watching a show, or taking a bath – I finally have that option now! And, maybe *just maybe*, I could start having a regular social life. Because, trust and believe, it’s hard fitting in hang outs, errands, and skating all in one weekend. This caused me to enter my work week feeling even more exhausted and it grew into a vicious cycle.

There are so many things that I plan on doing with my evenings off but, what I’m most looking forward to is finding an American Sign Language class to attend. Weirdly enough, there are no weekend classes at the centers for the deaf in my area but evening classes are available. So, that is definitely going to be on my agenda very soon! It feels good to do for me while still maintaining my caseload at work and lifewithlilred and I am ready for work free evenings to commence!

How do you practice self care? What do you do during your free time to relax? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep11

Moving On Up: New Couch Edition

Posted on by
Standard
Moving On Up: New Couch Edition

Helloooo, darlings! During my move in mid-April, I did almost all of my shopping via secondhand and consignment shops. I was happy to do this because not only did it save me a buttload of money but it gave me a lot of unique pieces of furniture and decor that I’m confident no one else will have. I was also bequeathed with some amazing items by some of my client’s families including my beautiful curio cabinets and crystal collection.

The generosity of the families I work with never ceases to astound me and, thanks to one of them, I have a gorgeous new to me red velvet couch for my living room. Check it out:

couchcouch1couch2couch3

Now, don’t get me wrong. I really like my old loveseat that is currently still in my living room until I figure out what to do with it. But, I’m not going to lie, it’s not the comfiest thing on the planet. When I’m reading or watching a movie, I like being able to curl up and relax. My loveseat is quite small and it makes getting the optimum snugly feeling that I require impossible.

So, when the parents of one of my clients began renovating their living room complete with new furniture, I couldn’t say no to the offer of their old couch. It’s funny, because I never even knew that they owned this pretty little number because my client and I don’t spend time in the living room, we are mainly out and about in the community. And, when I first laid eyes on it, it was definitely love at first sight!

I adore the vintage chic shape, the soft and plush velvet material, and, of course, the color! The best part about my new to me couch is that it’s one hundred percent snuggle approved. Because it’s made on a curve, it fits to my body perfectly when I’m laying down and I am reveling in that because it just wasn’t an option with my straight as an arrow loveseat.

And, luckily enough, the couch goes exceptionally well with my furniture that I already had in place. It wouldn’t have been a big deal if it didn’t but the fact that my new couch looks like it should have been in my apartment all along is the cherry on top. My client’s parents were going to donate the couch if I didn’t want it so I am very happy that it ended up in the Lil Red Foundation, instead, and am so totally thankful for their help in making my little apartment the ultimate home. ❤

How is your house or apartment furnished? Do you like a more modern or vintage look when it comes to your decor? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep10

The Importance Of After-School Activities For Kids

Posted on by
Standard
The Importance Of After-School Activities For Kids

Being able to give your kids the best start in life is important to any parent and, with that, their education and the life experiences they have growing up is essential. Activities for your kids can help keep them engaged and on a successful path. There are plenty of reasons why after-school activities are important to take part in for your children, like the following:

New Experiences:

As a child, you remember everything, and that’s both the good times and the bad. The experiences you get through life help you become who you are when you reach adulthood and, even then, you’re still learning! After-school activities will provide your children with new experiences that they may not get in the school itself. Opening them up to more of this is only going to be better for creating the memories that will stay with them forever and that they may end up passing onto their children.

The Opportunity To Socialize:

Being in a group environment and meeting new people helps to build a child’s ability to socialize successfully. Being shy is nothing to be worried about as this is a personality trait, just like any other. However, it’s good that even someone who’s shy can still have a conversation with someone. Doing activities that involve sports or team communication are a great way to help speak to others and, more importantly, to find those friendship groups where they fit in. It’s often something we learn as we grow, but there’s no harm in finding those you know you’ll like sooner!

Helps Them Figure Out Their Passions:

With an afterschool stem class, there’s so much more that a child could be tapping into that they just don’t get in normal school timetables. This is where passions can be discovered, and it may end up helping them in figuring out what career they’d like to do when they’re older. Of course, as children grow up, their career aspirations dramatically change. However, there’s nothing wrong with encouraging that exploration into what brings them happiness and joy.

Builds Confidence:

Confidence is something that some are naturally gifted with and, for others, it’s something you gain and grow over time. Being confident can help push you to achieve what you want in life. As a child, being in a new environment can feel a little nerve-racking, but the more that they’re exposed to these activities, the more confidence you’ll see in them each time. As parents, it can be wonderful to see this confidence in your children. To see them be determined or to not let anything get in their way is one life lesson that’s certainly worth learning for everyone.

After-school activities contribute to giving the best start in life for your child. Find some classes or groups that they might have interest in and watch them grow!

Featured Image By: Pixabay